Leave a gift in your will

Fighting poverty doesn’t stop when you do – a gift in your will is a legacy which will help War on Want attack the root causes of poverty, for as long as poverty exists.

We have a track record in making the world a better place. If you want to make a lasting difference, leave a gift in your will to War on Want. For over 60 years we have worked to fight global poverty and for people facing human rights violation. We work with inspirational people like Berenice Celeyta, Colombian Human Rights activist. Berenice (pictured above) faces daily threats to her life, for standing up for what she believes in, but is undaunted, as she says:

‘It is better to die for something than live for nothing’

Download the jargon free guide at the bottom of the page for information about the simple process of including War on Want in your will.

Frequently asked questions

Why make a will?

If you don’t have a will then you have no say in what happens to your money and belongings. Making a will gives you control and your loved ones peace of mind and less hassle after you have gone. You also get the chance to remember your favourite causes and charities, like War on Want, which can have a positive effect on the tax you might have to pay on what you leave.

Isn’t it complicated and expensive to make one?

Solicitors make wills all the time, and they can easily guide you through the process to make sure what you want to happen is correctly written down in your will. A simple will can cost around £100, but you may be able to get a will made for free or very cheaply if you are a member of a union, or through your bank, or a charity scheme.

I’ve already made a will; won’t it be difficult to change it and leave a gift to charity?

It is really simple to add what’s called a ‘codicil’ which is just a piece of paper saying that you want to add something to your original will. It costs much less than writing a will to include a codicil with your main will, and a sample form is in our free guide.

What’s the best type of gift to leave?

There are three main ways to leave a gift in your will:

An object or piece of property (called a ‘specific legacy’), such as a house, painting or shares.

A particular amount of money (called a ‘pecuniary legacy’), which you can set up to keep pace with inflation.

A percentage of whatever is left after your other property is passed on (called a ‘residuary legacy’) – this is an easy way to make sure everyone gets a share of what you have, and is a great way to give to charity.

Get in touch if you have more questions. We can’t give legal advice but you are welcome to get in touch for a confidential and no-strings chat about how a gift in your will could help leave a better world.